FRESH START: Erik Lamela will be hoping for better luck this season having missed large periods of his debut campaign through injury [GETTY]

Spurs smashed their transfer record to sign the Argentine winger from Italian giants Roma for £30m.

However Lamela's debut campaign at the club was plagued by injury and he managed only nine Premier League appearances.

The 22-year-old was linked with a switch back to Serie A, with Inter Milan and Juventus among the potential suitors.

But following the arrival of compatriot Mauricio Pochettino as Spurs' new manager, Lamela has been heavily involved in preparations for the upcoming campaign and impressed during the pre-season tour of America.

FIGHTING FIT: Lamela has enjoyed a superb pre-season finding the back of the net on three occasions [GETTY]

“If they can keep Lamela fit, there is no reason why he can't prove a few people wrong”

Clive Allen

And Allen is confident Spurs' record-buy is ready to come good this term.

"Erik is a very talented player," he told talkSPORT.

"He's had time now to acclimatise to life in England, and while fans might not want to hear it, it does take time to adjust and settle after moving to a new country. I experienced that in my career.

"He's had his problems with injury as well at his time at Spurs, he hasn't really played many games, so I think he'll be like a new signing for the club this season.

"If they can keep Lamela fit, there is no reason why he can't prove a few people wrong and show fans what they were hoping to see with some good performances."